Tech whizz kid launches app design business at just 18 years old

David Allison

A YOUNG entrepreneur has launched his own design company at the age of 18 – and he’s already looking to expand.

Boldon Colliery lad Luke Farrell has been given space at Gateshead’s Northern Design Centre after being recognised for his new app and website design business Puzzled.

Teenage entrepreneur Luke Farrell in the new Puzzled offices.

Luke already has several clients on his books, including some North-East companies, and is now looking to employ a fellow student at Gateshead College to mentor and share his skills with.

Luke, studying for a level-three software development extended diploma, said: “I have always wanted to have my own business. I am so excited to be launching Puzzled at such a young age.

“There is so much I want to develop and achieve across my career, and it has already got off to a great start.”

Puzzled has also orchestrated the launch of popular brain-teasing app Colors. Billed as a game of matching, it sees participants amass points by identifying colours by name, overcoming the challenges posed by mis-matched and additional words and colours. The app has been downloaded 2,000 times so far.

Luke’s interest in computing started at the age of 11 when he was introduced to computer coding by his dad Sean, 42, and by the age of 13, he was designing digital games and animations in his spare time.

The former Boldon School pupil – also living with mum Kathleen, 48, and sister Dayna, 16, at their Shelley Avenue home – says he hopes to expand the business over the next few years.

“I’ve always been interested in running my own business,” he said.

“I like being in control of my work, and I want to take Puzzled on and branch out.

“For instance, I’m launching another company called Puzzled Eco soon, which is an environmentally-friendly app.”

Luke was one of 10 businesses given office space as part of the Digital Union Start-up Competition run by the Northern Design Centre in Gateshead.

The initiative, supported by Scape Community Fund and delivered by Gateshead Council, was set up to identify start-up businesses that would benefit from early-stage growth support.